Post by janetnj on Nov 11, 2012 15:43:31 GMT -5
I had read there are occasional tours of the Senate at Palais du Luxembourg, so I sent an email back in September. They replied - on a Sunday - to tell me the next tour was on November 3 and they started taking reservations October 11.
Late morning on the 11th I sent my request, and they replied to tell me the tour was already full. So - in my most polite French - I asked them to let me know if anything became available.
They emailed a week later saying another tour was added for the 10th. Yay!
The tour guide was very welcoming and enunciated well so I was able to get the gist of what she was saying.
We started in the courtyard. Marie of Medicis bought the original hotel particulier from a duc of Luxembourg, hence the name.
Then inside to a few rooms. This one was a beautiful door.
And ceiling
We passed the library but it's only open for visits on the Journees du Patrimoine in September. I think she said there were 45,000 books.
Then we went into the main meeting room. We sat in the balcony. The tour guide gave background on the building and the Senate guide who accompanied us told us about the Senate itself. 358 senators. 78% male. 65% over 60, 1.4% under 40.
The gallery was breathtaking. Reminded me somewhat of Opera Garnier.
This is Napoleon II. If I understood correctly he died of tuberculosis.
We descended a final grand staircase and were bid adieu. A very good tour.
Late morning on the 11th I sent my request, and they replied to tell me the tour was already full. So - in my most polite French - I asked them to let me know if anything became available.
They emailed a week later saying another tour was added for the 10th. Yay!
The tour guide was very welcoming and enunciated well so I was able to get the gist of what she was saying.
We started in the courtyard. Marie of Medicis bought the original hotel particulier from a duc of Luxembourg, hence the name.
Then inside to a few rooms. This one was a beautiful door.
And ceiling
We passed the library but it's only open for visits on the Journees du Patrimoine in September. I think she said there were 45,000 books.
Then we went into the main meeting room. We sat in the balcony. The tour guide gave background on the building and the Senate guide who accompanied us told us about the Senate itself. 358 senators. 78% male. 65% over 60, 1.4% under 40.
The gallery was breathtaking. Reminded me somewhat of Opera Garnier.
This is Napoleon II. If I understood correctly he died of tuberculosis.
We descended a final grand staircase and were bid adieu. A very good tour.
That place is a palace! So beautiful! 
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha